The trend estimate of building work done fell 1.0% in the December quarter 2004. A fall in residential building (-1.9%) was partly offset by a rise in non-residential building (+0.6%).

Engineering work done was relatively flat, growing 0.1% in the December quarter 2004.

Total construction work done fell 0.6% in the latest quarter.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ESTIMATES

The seasonally adjusted estimate of building work rose 0.4% in the December quarter 2004, to $12,483.7m. Residential building fell 4.0%, to $8,275.5m. Non-residential building rose 10.1% in the December quarter 2004, to $4,208.2m, the highest estimate since the December quarter 1990.

Engineering work done fell 2.5%, to $6,828.8m, in the December quarter 2004. A rise in work done for the private sector of 2.0%, to $3,873.7m, offset a fall in work done for the public sector of 7.9%, to $2,955.1m.

Total construction work done fell 0.7%, to $19,312.5m, in the latest quarter.

NOTES

ABOUT THIS ISSUE

This publication provides an early indication of trends in building and engineering construction activity. The data are estimates based on a response rate of approximately 80% of the value of both building and engineering work done during the quarter. More comprehensive and updated results will be released in Building Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8752.0) on 20 April 2005 and in Engineering Construction Activity, Australia (cat. no. 8762.0) on 19 April 2005.

CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE

There are no changes in this issue.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.

SUMMARY COMMENTARY

TREND PERCENTAGE CHANGE

TOTAL CONSTRUCTION

The total value of construction work done decreased for the second successive quarter after thirteen quarters of growth.

ENGINEERING

Engineering construction work done has increased for fifteen successive quarters with growth slowing in recent quarters.

BUILDING

Total building work decreased for the second successive quarter after four quarters of growth.

RESIDENTIAL

Residential building work decreased for the second successive quarter after a year of growth.

NON-RESIDENTIAL

Non-residential work rose in the latest quarter following small declines in the previous two quarters.

CHAIN VOLUME MEASURES - TREND ESTIMATES

NEW SOUTH WALES, VICTORIA

Construction work done has fallen for the last three quarters for New South Wales. The growth in Victoria, evident since early 2001 continues, although at a slower rate in recent quarters.

QUEENSLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Construction work done continues to grow in Queensland with growth in the engineering sector predominant over recent quarters. Construction work done in Western Australia has grown for the last four quarters.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA

Construction work done in South Australia has been growing since December 2000. In Tasmania, construction work done fell in the latest quarter after six quarters of growth.

NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Construction work done in the Northern Territory has fallen for the past four quarters. The Australian Capital Territory has shown falls for the past three quarters as a result of declines in both building and engineering construction.

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